Explain how lockdowns eradicate the virus?

I’ve just had a look at the stats on BBC Website. Newcastle upon Tyne has a reduced number of cases today as have Manchester so it seems that Tier 2 is reducing the transmission so why introduce T3?

Having chatted to some over the last week or so it appears that, as Monica has suggested there is no confidence in the government whatsoever. From my observations the vast majority here are wearing face coverings on public transport and in shops, whilst also keeping their distance. Same with school pick-ups. IMO people have taken that onboard at least in the daytime in public. What they do in pubs etc. in the evening or at home is probably another matter.

To answer the OP, it looks as if T2 I’d beginning to slow the spread of the virus but the economy is already suffering as is the mental and physical health of many individuals. In the long term continual lockdowns won’t solve anything. There may or may not be a vaccine so an efficient track and back trace seems to be the best option. This government has wasted millions of tax payers money on a c**p system that is not fit for purpose. IMO we need a system that works for everyone. Fast test results and easily available tests at a local level and tracing to follow.

This fiasco is the result of the government’s policy of ‘jobs for the boys’ rather than a public health policy that does the job.

MayBee, too right, there was a lot of information early on.

We watched what was happening in other parts of the world - yet our government appeared to have no idea - and dithered, delayed, too little, too late.

Now, it seems to be happening all over again!

growstuff: however did you guess? It was a long time ago but the education system is like malaria: if it doesn't kill you straight away you have to live with it to the end of your days.

I don’t agree that no one knew how to deal with this pandemic. Anyone that had been tuning into Dr John Campbell’s blogs going right back to February will have known about the virus being airborne/mask wearing being necessary/people being asymptomatic etc etc. All of it has been backed up with scientific evidence. I was astounded when Johnson said he didn’t know about asymptomatic virus carriers.

A cup of tea then you're out the front door.

Sorry.
But no duster, no stay.

No, I can't stand cleaning or gardening.
How long can I stay then? A week?

Callistemon, Oh I so hope you’re right and this too shall pass. I’m sure I speak for every single one of us when I say I’m so fed up of it, and can’t see an end to it any time soon. I’m hoping so much for a vaccine.

Lovely.
Do you like cleaning and gardening? You could earn your keep. Stay as long as you like!

Ah well never mind.
I'll come and stay for a lovely long while once I'm allowed.
Won't that be nice?

MissAdventure

I feel I'm shuffling about, chanting "we're doomed, I tell you, doooomed!"
Is this what's known as a wobble?

I think it could be classed as a wobble..
Chin up, MissA, this too shall pass.

I'd invite you for a but the border is shut.
Saying "my friend has invited me for tea" won't be a good enough reason, sadly.

growstuff, the government, initially, only expected 80% compliance with 'the rules'- yet still expected them to be sufficient. The first lockdown proved them right (for once).

MaggieTulliver, I reserve my right to call people 'selfish and idiotic' - because many really, truly are!

I feel I'm shuffling about, chanting "we're doomed, I tell you, doooomed!"
Is this what's known as a wobble?

LadyHonoriaDedlock If you've ever been a teacher (and I suspect you might have been), you'll know that it's a very rare class, in which everybody behaves sensibly and everybody does as they're told.

MissAdventure

I think until or unless every single person and establishment is onboard with the idea of really following the rules stringently, we are never going to gain a foothold against the virus.

Obviously, there will be exceptions to the rules, but they should be minimal.

Unfortunately, I can't see that happening. Everybody is just doing their own thing. The country desperately needs credible leadership. I can't ever remember feeling that so strongly. Power vacuums are dangerous.

It's a bit like a teacher keeping the whole class behind until the one who endangered others by setting fire to the waste bin fesses up.

If people behaved sensibly by keeping to a safe social distance, wearing masks when in enclosed spaces and not going on boozy, uninhibited pub crawls or holding block parties in your university residence when you've been clearly instructed not to, then there wouldn't be any need for complete lockdowns now. As it is, a full lockdown is probably the only way the authorities can reestablish control. Whether doing it piecemeal, so that the stupid people in locked-down areas can just get in the car (being doubly stupid, unless there's a designated driver) to the nearest un-locked-down area is a more sensible idea than a blanket lockdown is questionable. The full lockdown in the spring and summer may not have been popular but it did bring the infection rate right down.

I agree with you 100% MOnica and PECS's endorsement.

Or even......much lauded Germany.... I’ll get it right eventually

......much louded Germany......

It’s easy to be wise after the event. When this pandemic started no one knew very much about it, except it’s very infectious and it kills a lot of older people and some younger ones. There was no effective medication and no vaccine. I think the government were slow off the mark, and have messed up some things, but I don’t think for one minute that anyone else would have been much better. It’s pointless thinking of New Zealand, or Norway, or Sweden, they have a different demographic and far more space. Look instead to France, Italy, even the much lorded Germany, now all of them and a lot more countries, are just as much as us, up the creek without a paddle.
Until we get an effective vaccine, or the virus burns itself out, we are at its mercy.

M0nica I do agree with that point of view. Effective & clear leadership has been missing from the start & this has contributed to the poor control of the virus & the public response to " guidance"

As previously said I have stated my view and you are free to disagree without telling me that “I need to understand”, a little respect does no harm.

LauraNorder well said, you have my respect

Yes, that's a huge factor, no doubt about that.

The problem is that Democracy works by those being governed being willing to accept the governance of those they elected into power.

Unfortunately what has happened in this country is that because government response to the pandemic has been so shambolic and disorganised, people no longer accept that the government knows neither whether what they are doing is right, nor whether the measures they introduce are effective.

When that happens people ignore all government pronouncements because they do not trust them and make their own decisions based on their own risk assessments - and who can blame them?

The only way forward is for the government to command the problem, produce a a clear, reasoned and explained strategy and hope to get back the confidence of the population.

I think the chances of that happening is remote under the current Prime Minister and his key cabinet members.

I think until or unless every single person and establishment is onboard with the idea of really following the rules stringently, we are never going to gain a foothold against the virus.

Obviously, there will be exceptions to the rules, but they should be minimal.

mokryna
Moreover, if you didn’t drink all the wine you had ordered with your meal in the resturant, hard luck you couldn’t leave with it.

I think that might be an Australia-wide ban. Last year in NQ we had only just started a bottle of wine and I asked for the lid to put back on so I could take it out with me, but no.
You're not allowed to drink in public places, so carrying an opened bottle could be proof of you drinking in the street.